While United Internet Team Germany was unable to match the brilliant performance of the first two fleet races, things went almost perfectly for BMW Oracle Racing. Only one place separated them from overall victory in Act 9.
Chris Dickson, syndicate leader and helmsman of BMW Oracle, delivered an almost flawless performance. Shortly before the line, he managed to force the New Zealanders, who were not entirely convincing in Trapani, into an early start. He himself started the race at high speed and as one of the first.
But despite all the class, one team was better yesterday - albeit by a narrow margin. Surprisingly, the Spaniards were the first to round the windward mark after a brilliant manoeuvre on the layline. A move that cost Alinghi and Oracle BMW time and distance.
Despite problems with the spinnaker pole, Desafio maintained his lead over the entire first downwind leg and also stayed ahead on the last leg. Oracle BMW almost managed to catch the team of German-Polish Karol Jablonski before the finish line. But in the end, the Spaniards were lucky and won in a photo finish that could not have been more exciting or closer.
The race had it all. In fresh winds of up to 20 knots and choppy seas, the cuppers and their crews were pushed to their limits several times. In these conditions, the start alone of such a large AC field is a thrill.
Moderate result for Team Germany
The German syndicate, still plagued by management quarrels surrounding former team boss Uwe Sasse, only managed ninth place ahead of the Italian harbour city of Trapani.
The German team benefited from material breakage on the cupper of the French "K-Challenge", who did not start in today's fleet race, as well as from the poor performance of Mascalzone Latinos (breakage of the genoa halyard), which was also due to material problems. In sporting terms, the Germans only left Team China behind on the track.
Towards the end of the race, the German America's Cup campaign had a "match race" with the South African Shosholoza, but the latter was able to clearly win. In the end, "United Internet Team Germany" crossed the finish line two minutes and 51 seconds behind the winner Desafio.
"I'm not happy, but I'm satisfied. Ninth place is acceptable and the maximum we can achieve at the moment," said Jesper Bank. "The result reflects our current level of performance. We have definitely grown together as a team. This shows that we are on the right track," said the skipper of the German team.
In the overall standings, "United Internet Team Germany" was therefore unable to maintain the unexpected seventh place of the previous race days and ranks ninth after the last race.
The outstanding winner of Louis Vuitton Act 9 is "Team Alinghi". The Swiss also secured the title of "America's Cup Class Season Championship 2005" ahead of "Emirates Team New Zealand" and "BMW ORACLE Racing".
Overall standings Act 9, Trapani
1st Alinghi (SUI), 56
2nd BMW Oracle Racing (USA) 56
3. Emirates Team NZ (NZL) 46
4. Desafío Español (ESP) 40
5th Team Shosholoza (RSA) 37
6 Luna Rossa (ITA) 34
7 +39 (ITA) 26
8 Victory Challenge (SWE) 24
9 United Internet Team Germany (GER) 22
10th Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team (ITA) 19
11th China Team (CHN) 11
12th K-Challenge (FRA) 12
You can read a summary and analysis of the 2005 AC season here in the YACHT online special on Monday, 10 October from around 2 pm.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
